Camille Page #2

- She wants to get rid of us.

She wants to be alone with my friend.

For once in your life

you're quite right, Gaston.

Who is your friend anyway?

Baron de Varville, this is my neighbor,

Madame Duvernoy.

- Baron de Varville?

- He, the Baron de Varville?

No wonder she wanted to get rid of us.

Well, l... I never said

I was the "Baron" anybody.

There's the Baron de Varville...

...sitting over there, big as life,

with that wretch, Olympe.

- Really?

- Certainly.

Well, this is rather funny.

- Funny?

- Yes, I quite agree with you. It is funny.

Oh, even if you're not Baron de Varville,

sit down.

I can't believe I'm wanted now that

my unimportance has been discovered.

Don't be silly. Who are you anyhow?

My name is Armand Duval.

I've never had any reason

to be ashamed of it.

- Armand Duval.

- Yes.

I'm not always sincere.

One can't be in this world, you know.

- But I am not sorry the mistake happened.

- Nor am I.

The baron keeps looking over here.

That must worry Olympe.

As long as you don't wish to sit down,

would you go and buy me some sweets?

You can afford a pound

of marrons glacs...

...even if you're not the rich baron,

can't you?

I'll not come back with your sweets

too soon.

- What is your friend's name?

- I'm not sure which friend you mean.

The girl in the opposite box

whom you just spoke to.

Oh, her. Well, she's hardly a friend.

I know her, of course.

But she's not easy to get along with.

Ask anybody.

What did you say her name was?

And she has a reputation of being one

of the most extravagant girls in Paris...

...as well as one of the most insincere.

- I like sincerity, don't you?

- It's an admirable quality.

Well, I insist on it.

She's the kind who says one thing

and thinks another.

Who?

Marguerite,

the girl we were talking about.

Marguerite.

- What is her other name?

- Gautier. Not that it's her real name.

She had some sort of very common name,

I hear, when she came to Paris.

There's no use boring you about her.

A friend of mine is giving a small party

tonight, if you'd care to come.

I detest parties. Thank you

for a very charming entr'acte, my dear.

Will I see you again?

I should think it's very likely, sometime.

Good evening.

- Good evening.

- Good evening.

- I hope I don't intrude.

- No.

You're very welcome, baron.

I was delighted when I saw

that you were alone.

Oh, monsieur, I'm so sorry

I kept you waiting.

I had to go to two shops

before I found your marrons glacs.

It doesn't matter. I'm in no hurry.

But since nothing but marrons glacs

would do, these are very fresh.

- Will monsieur try one?

- Thank you.

Thank you, monsieur.

The coachman wishes me

to remind Monsieur le Baron...

...there are four horses to manage,

and they're restless.

Very well.

I must go.

I think I'll change my mind

and take you with me.

- The doctors warned me against Russia.

- But Russia isn't cold in summer.

Even so, the trip would be

too much for me.

I shall get tired. I shall get ill again.

And you'll be bored.

Now, what shall I give you

to remember me by?

- You can't give the only thing I'd like.

- What?

A tear.

- You're not sorry enough I'm going.

- Oh, but I am sorry.

Is there anything I can do for you

before I go?

Yes. I'm going to an auction

this afternoon.

- I would like to buy a pair of horses.

- I just gave you a pair.

Yes, but these horses belonged

to my friend, Eugenie Clivet...

...who died a few weeks ago.

And I know she'd like me

to have her horses.

Well, what of it

if you don't need them?

Olympe wants them.

She always wants everything I want...

...and I don't want her to have them.

Are you really as jealous of Olympe

as all that? I don't believe it.

I'll be frank with you.

I want Clivet's horses

because I want the coachman.

And he'd be miserable

without the horses.

- He must be very young and handsome.

- Oh, no.

He's quite old. He's older than Nanine.

But, well, he needs someone to take care

of him, and I know Olympe won't.

So much heart and so little sense.

I shall take a good look

at your new coachman when I come back.

- Thank you.

- Now, goodbye.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Keep an eye on her, Nanine.

Two thousand two hundred and forty

for this magnificent pair of chestnuts.

They're the finest pair

in the whole of France.

Why, they're worth 5000 at least.

- Two thousand five hundred.

- Bid, Nanine, 3000.

- Twenty-five hundred once.

- Three thousand.

So that's what you came for.

I might've known it.

Three thousand and one hundred francs.

Three thousand seven hundred and fifty.

- Four thousand. Four!

- Four thousand.

Four thousand for this fine pair

of chestnuts which is easily worth 7.

- Oh, that's too much.

- Of course. Don't bid anymore.

- I won't.

- No.

Four thousand one hundred.

- Four thousand one hundred.

- Four thousand five hundred.

- Five thousand!

- Five thousand. Five thousand!

Five thousand francs for this magnificent

pair of chestnuts, ladies and gentlemen.

They can be sold any day for 10.

- Five thousand one hundred.

- Six thousand.

- Six thousand.

- Six thousand. Six thousand.

Six thousand francs.

Six thousand francs.

Ladies and gentlemen. Once, twice. Ladies

and gentlemen, sold at 6000 francs.

Well, I hope they don't run away

and kill you. I hear they're none too safe.

Go settle with the auctioneer, Nanine.

Tell the old coachman

we'll take him with the horses.

- You really have a heart, Marguerite.

- Yes. It's going to cost her a lot.

- I hope mine never gets that soft.

- Don't worry, it won't.

It's a great mistake for any woman

to have a heart bigger than her purse.

Prudence, did you invite them

to my party tomorrow?

I thought the baron disliked parties.

He won't be there.

He'd be bored with my friends.

- Have you quarreled?

- Not yet, but don't give up hope, Olympe.

- Nichette.

- Marguerite.

How well you look. How happy.

It must be love.

- It is.

- Still the same young man?

Of course. And just think, Marguerite.

He talks of our getting married.

Just as soon as he's passed

his examinations and is a real lawyer.

- You seem to think that's very fine of him.

- But of course I do.

After all, I have no dowry,

and he's a gentleman and educated.

Even so, why should the mention

of marriage go to your head?

But, Marguerite, it's ideal to love,

and to marry the one you love.

I have no faith in ideals.

Amuse yourself if you wish.

But remember, you can always do better

than a penniless lawyer.

I never want to do better

than Gustave.

Well, well, time changes our minds,

as well as our hearts.

Perhaps you won't go on being

a little goose always.

Only, come and see me now and then.

Remember, you're my oldest friend

in Paris.

I will, Marguerite. Soon.

I often think of those days we worked

in the linen shop.

I'm so glad to see you today

and that you're looking so well.

I always look well

when I'm near death.

Armand Duval.

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